Johnson took to Instagram to announce the news along with a teaser from the film and explained why the movie was very special to him.

“Inspired to bring to life one of my childhood heroes,” Johnson wrote. “In this movie, I’ll lead an ensemble of the most popular folklore figures and legends from different cultures around the world. The legend of JOHN HENRY’S strength, endurance, dignity and cultural pride was instilled in my DNA at a very young age. … My dad would sing ‘Big John’ to me every time he would put me to bed.”

Take a look at the video teaser announcement with the full caption, below:

WHEN THE MAN COMES AROUND.
Inspired to bring to life one of my childhood heroes, John Henry, in JOHN HENRY & THE STATESMEN.
In this movie, I’ll lead an ensemble of the most popular folklore figures and legends from different cultures around the world.
@NETFLIX is the perfect partner & platform to bring these global folklore icons to life. The NETFLIX brand speaks directly to our @sevenbucksprod ethos of being bold, ambitious and game changing - and most importantly, always thinking “Audience first” in homes all around the world.
The legend of JOHN HENRY’S strength, endurance, dignity and cultural pride was instilled in my DNA at a very young age. My dad would sing “Big John” to me every time he would put me to bed. At bedtime most children get loving nursery rhyme songs — I got this/
Every mornin’ at the mine, you could see him arrive. He stood 6 foot 6 and weighed 245.
Kind of broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip. And everybody knew you didn’t give no lip to Big John.
Big John. Big Bad John.
Directing this big ol’ tentpole is the talented and passionate, Jake Kasdan. Jake and I found nice success together in a little movie called, JUMANJI.
Gonna be a lot of fun bringing these legends to life.
My childhood hero.
The steel driving man and his disruptive band of international folklore legends.
JOHN HENRY & THE STATESMEN
@sevenbucksprod
@danygarciaco
@hhgarcia41
@flynnpictureco
@NETFLIX

Johnson, came under fire with the internet immediately after the announcement as people expressed their disappointment that the lite-skinned actor was playing a dark-skinned man, which Johnson obviously is not. The biracial actor has a Black father and a Samoan mother.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson cast himself as African American folk hero John Henry and we have two questions:

One fan commented: “Historically, John Henry’s always been depicted as having a *very* dark skin complexion and while Dwayne Johnson is undeniably a black man, this is all quite 🧐🧐🧐. I’m legitimately curious who the target audience for this movie is meant to be.”

Agreed! He'd make an excellent John Henry however, they are going for box office appeal and a bankable name. The Rock is one of the producers and they will bill this as "an American story" (read: universal) not a black fable. 😕 https://t.co/z5xeV2ylz5

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